Environmental acoustic quality in Hada Elsham research Saudi farm

Abstract EN

Surveys of physical exposure to noise at different sites, both indoor and outdoor, in the typical research Saudi farm of Hada Elsham indicate that noise from mechanical sources is very intensive.

Relatively high instant sound levels (90dB(A) and higher) were recorded in some indoor and outdoor locations.

Typical sources of intensive noise are farm machinery, diesel electricity generating unit, diesel engine driven water pump, large fans, individual room-units of air-conditioning and industrial equipment of a dairy plant.

Values of statistical indicators L1, L10, L50, L90, L99, and Leq were computed over a period of 24hr inside a dairy plant, a greenhouse and a farmer residence (both indoor and outdoor).

Comparisons with current western standards show that the levels recorded exceeded the limits of dissatisfaction given by those standards.

Octave band spectral analysis of the noise in all indoor and outdoor environments under consideration indicate that low frequency sounds were dominating in a tolerable manner, depending on the source nature of different environments.

The results of this research, however, demonstrate the necessity for the application of a noise control programme on different indoor as well as outdoor sites of the farm.